Out of the blue: The value of seagrasses to the environment and to people

Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that are found in shallow waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic circle. Seagrass meadows are of fundamental importance to nature and people. They contribute to community well-being, whether through improved quality of water filtered by seagrasses or protection of coasts from erosion, storms and floods.

The key messages of this report, among others, are (p. 12):

• Seagrasses provide a range of environmental, economic and social benefits to humans, making them one of the most valuable coastal and marine ecosystems on the planet.
• Seagrass meadows are threatened globally by natural and anthropogenic stressors.
• There is an urgent need to develop and implement integrated policies and management options that recognize the multiple benefits of seagrass ecosystems.

The recommended actions, among others, are (p. 14):

• Support the development of a policy expert group for seagrasses.
• Invest in further understanding and quantifying the value of seagrass ecosystem goods and services.
• Raise awareness and communicate the economic and social importance of seagrasses, as well as the consequences of their loss.